After Gov. Ron DeSantis threw his support behind state Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Tribly, businessman and veteran Chuck Nadd ended his bid for the Republican nomination in the Florida agricultural commission race.
Nadd had been in the race for less than a month and he posted a message on Twitter after DeSantis backed Simpson.
“The outpouring of support for our campaign has made for an extraordinary past three weeks,” Nadd posted, adding his decision to leave the race was “based on Governor DeSantis’ decision to unite the GOP.”
Nadd insisted he was not bowing out of politics and is “committed as ever to fighting for clean water, our conservative values, and the Florida freedoms that” DeSantis “has championed.”
“For commissioner of agriculture, I am supporting Wilton Simpson, who has helped pass major reform for election integrity, choice in education, big tech censorship and law enforcement recruitment,” DeSantis announced on Monday.
“Our great governor has led our state through these unprecedented times with a focus on our hardworking families and businesses. Together, we helped keep Florida free and prosperous, and I am honored to have his support,” Simpson replied to the endorsement.
Back in May, former President Donald Trump threw his support behind Simpson.
“Wilton Simpson has done an outstanding job as president of the Florida state Senate, and I hope he runs for Florida agriculture commissioner in 2022—he will have my complete and total endorsement! Wilton has been a great supporter and worked hard to get many good conservatives elected in Florida. He helped us grow our Republican majority in the Florida state Senate, and gave us a historic win in Florida in the 2020 presidential election,” Trump said. “Wilton will never let the great people of Florida down!”
Current Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, the only Democrat holding statewide office in Florida, is running for governor.
Simpson does not have an open shot at the primary with businessman Richard Olle and businessman James Shaw also running for the Republican nomination. Businessman Ryan Morales is running for the Democratic nomination.
